Skip to content
  • Register
    • Viewing the message boards in:

    Underweight and need serious help

    2»

    Replies

    • Posts: 131 Member
      MichelleLei1 wrote: »
      show previous quotes

      Nope doesn't seem that high at all. At 5'4'' 108lbs I burned around 2100 a day (with strength training and cardio). Considering you're training for a marathon, 2200 seems completely reasonable. You should probably schedule an appointment with your gynecologist as well (your doctor will most likely refer you to him anyways). From my personal experience, he'll probably give you a blood test to check your hormone levels and that you're not pregnant (it's a legal thing). In my case, I had low estrogen levels so I was prescribed Medroxyprogesterone (a female hormone that helps regulate ovulation and menstrual periods). Then once that medication induced my period, I was put on a birth control pill to regulate and maintain one until I gained enough body fat naturally regulate my hormone levels. This of course isn't a replacement for weight gain, but it should at least solve your amenorrhea until you can gain enough weight.

      Yes it is my gyno I will be seeing! And that is good to know because I feel like even 1900 is a ton of food. I guess I just don't know how munch I burn. Thanks!
    • Posts: 38,443 MFP Moderator
      2200 might be a good start. Track for a month and then add more calories if you arent gaining enough.
    • Posts: 131 Member
      I have posted a new profile picture that is more recent.
    • Posts: 5,481 Member
      OP I suggest talking to a therapist.
    • Posts: 2,831 Member
      I know no competitive runners who are not underweight by standard measures. I wouldn't be asking this question here. Talk to your doctor and share your goals with him or her. You may find that you're fine. You may not. This isn't the right forum though IMHO (given the drama I've seen anytime a woman is on the low end of the BMI scale), and I'd take everything said here with a grain of salt.
    • Posts: 51 Member
      I've been following your thread OP and I just wanted to wish you good luck in your journey :) please do let us know how you're getting on, and I definitely agree with the comments about setting attainable goals
    • Posts: 1,280 Member
      How did you get your bf%? I doubt your at 8.8% body fat. The only sure fire way is through water immersion. Every other way is not as accurate, especially bioelectric impedence which typically underestimates body fat % the lower and more athletic you are. The minimum (estimated) for a woman to survive is somewhere between 13-17% but varies. If you're still having your period, that is a good indicator that your body fat percentage is fine for you. When you stop having your period, especially at your age, that is a red flag that your BF is too low.
    • Posts: 131 Member
      wilsoncl6 wrote: »
      How did you get your bf%? I doubt your at 8.8% body fat. The only sure fire way is through water immersion. Every other way is not as accurate, especially bioelectric impedence which typically underestimates body fat % the lower and more athletic you are. The minimum (estimated) for a woman to survive is somewhere between 13-17% but varies. If you're still having your period, that is a good indicator that your body fat percentage is fine for you. When you stop having your period, especially at your age, that is a red flag that your BF is too low.
      It was bio electric but I'm doing another test on Monday the old fashioned measuring way. And everything I have learned is that 10-15% is the minimum for proper menstration, not to survive?
    • Posts: 595 Member
      simmoner4 wrote: »
      show previous quotes
      It was bio electric but I'm doing another test on Monday the old fashioned measuring way. And everything I have learned is that 10-15% is the minimum for proper menstration, not to survive?

      You're definitely not 8% body fat. Calipers and measurements are also widely inaccurate. You'd need a dexa scan but I'm not sure why you're body fat even matters?, 10% is extremely low for a female unless you really had a high percentage or were quite underweight. My bmi is 15.9 and my body fat is no where near that low.

      You're pretty close to a healthy weight as it is (less than 10 lbs to gain). If you're training and it's not a body image thing, it will probably clear up when you aren't training so much. Talk to your doctor of course but given your amount of exercise and the period loss being recent they'll probably give it some time after your marathon. Just as a heads up if they do, consider waiting until after race, if your race is soon. The hormonal dumping makes you feel like *kitten*...
    • Posts: 239 Member
      Yeah keep the healthy snacks around through the entire day, and don't forget the important healthy fats ☺
    • Posts: 38,443 MFP Moderator
      simmoner4 wrote: »
      show previous quotes
      It was bio electric but I'm doing another test on Monday the old fashioned measuring way. And everything I have learned is that 10-15% is the minimum for proper menstration, not to survive?

      Women tend to lose menstruation at 14%. Typically optimal is around 16 to 18%. At these levels, if you have good body composition, you would be pretty defined.
    • Posts: 16 Member
      Lots of good advice on here! If you'd like some help, shoot me a message and I can work with you in getting some results and offer some advice specific to the goal you have in mind.
    • Posts: 7 Member
      As someone who used to be very into running, exercise, and ate too few calories for my bodies needs, there are definitely consequences to excessive exercise and low body weight.
      The first being that having a low bmi drastically reduces oestrogen which id very important not just for fertility, to have a natural period not induced by birth control pills, but it is also extremely important for bone health as it regulates osteoblasts (bone resorption) and osteoclasts (bone reformation). Even if a period is happening a low bmi can still mean low oestrogen resulting in low bone density and early onset osteoporosis, leading to increased fracture risk.
      My recommendation would be to consider taking a break from running, increase calorie consumption, weight bearing exercises which will hopefully help to gain weight. It is far better to consider a break period so as to avoid future fractures and health consequences of low bone density than to ignore.
      Also it's important to remember that an adequate bmi for a women should realistically be 20 or higher (not in obese range obv) this is a level where hormones are really able to function at there best.
      Multidirectional movements have also shown to be the best form of exercise for bone density, as exercise such as running, swimming and cycling is a linear movement and aerobic (burning energy). Studies have shown that these athletes have lower bone density than those who perform multidirectional exercise such as weight lifting and gymnastics.

      The main thing to take away though is that there is no one diet that will improve bone density, increased calorie consumption will lead to increased weight (both fat and muscle) = increased muscle mass = increased bone density.
      *fat too is needed for proper hormone function
      But don't get obsessed with calorie counting, eating extremely healthy or a rigorous exercise regime. Carbs, protein, fat include it all.
      Dairy, carbs, protein, fats like avocado, nut butters, olive oil, salmon all great plus veg and fruits for vitamins. Depends on your height and weight as to how much you need. But increase calorie consumption gradually. Also eating enough calories is very difficult on salads alone if that is your idea on being healthy, it used to be for me just sayin!

    This discussion has been closed.

    Welcome!

    It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.
    Sign In
    Register

    Quick Links

    Categories